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Benefits Of Stretching

It's hard enough trying to find time to workout, but then you're expected to stretch? Who has time to lie on the floor stretching? You need to make time! Stretching is an essential part of any workout.

The benefits of stretching include making your muscles more flexible, enabling them to take the strain from your workout. Stretching can prevent injury, increase blood circulation, and energize your body! When you stretch, you lengthen your muscles and give your body and limbs a better range of motion.

Stretching should feel good, so if you feel any pain you should stop. Hold each of the stretching techniques below for 10 seconds or longer and do each stretch at least once. These stretches should be performed before and after a workout.

Quad Stretch: Your quadriceps includes the four muscles in the front of your thigh. To stretch this muscle, grab your right foot and bend your knee. You should pull your foot towards your butt and feel the front of your thigh stretch. Repeat this stretch on your left side.

Biceps Stretch: Your biceps is the muscle on the front of your arm, above your elbow. To stretch it, lift your arms out so that your body forms a T. Slowly rotate your palms from facing the ceiling to facing the floor.

Shoulders and Triceps Stretch: Your triceps muscle is in the back of your arm, above your elbow. Bend your right elbow behind your head so that your hand touches the back of your neck. With your left hand, press down on your right elbow. To stretch your shoulders, take your right arm and, with your left hand at your elbow, press it across your chest. Do the same with your left side.

Groin and Back Stretch: Your groin is the region between your legs and needs to be stretched, too! Sitting on the floor, place the soles of your feet so they touch each other. Pull your feet in towards your groin. Keeping your hand on your feet and bending with your lower back, try to touch your forehead to your toes. Hold this for 10 seconds or longer. (You might never get there...but the stretch is great!)

Hamstring Stretch: Your hamstring is the muscle behind your thigh. To stretch your hamstring, lie on your back on the floor with both knees bent. Keep your left foot flat on the floor and bend your right knee up to your chest. Grab your thigh with both hands and slowly straighten your right leg. Repeat on your left side.

With these stretching exercises, you will give yourself a healthier and safer workout!

Find out about the benefits of stretching and read helpful information at BeingGirl.com.

I already stretch at least twice a day, to help my flexibility. Because it sucks to have stiff joints and muscle.

danseur914

Posted August 12, 2012

These are the basic stretches, but essential for any kind of work out. :)

trublufudge897

Posted April 07, 2012

Wow this really relaxes me as well. I think that certain ogabposes are really good for stretching too :)

<3 ELMO <3

Posted February 17, 2013

I do these stretches in pe all the time

J-girl77

Posted January 24, 2013

This is pretty easy.

flamier

Posted March 14, 2012

wow i guess streching is really important at least more than i thought anyways. But i luv streching its kinda fun to me.

pinkhotcocoa

Posted March 13, 2012

The 2 best stretches that got my splits from 2 feet in the air to the floor in 2 weeks are the straddle and the lunge.
Straddle: Sit on the floor and open you legs as far as u can and try to reach for the floor. :)
Lunge: Make sure you shin in at a 90 degree angle to the floor and propel you back leg up. If u can, put your elbows on the ground.
Hope this helped!! :)

pinkhotcocoa

Posted February 08, 2012

Im on the dance team at my school and stretching is like homework. It feels so good to let your muscles relax and stretch. I don't know if this is normal or not, but I love to have my legs burn! Having accomplish your splits that you have been working on for 2 years is a great feeling. In your head and your muscles too. :) <3

Buggy12

Posted February 12, 2012

Ok, I have been in dance since I was 6, and I think I know the right way to stretch.. this article is wrong and please believe me, when you feel the pain in stretching, that is good, it means your making your muscles more flexible! If you stretch and don't feel anything that means your not stretching so go a little farther and hold it to 30 seconds now the next time you do it, you should be able to go a little farther:)